disputation

Forms

disputation f (plural disputations)^[1][2] Old French desputeison and disputoison.^[1][2]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin disputatio (“examination of a question, discussion”),^[1][3][4] formed on the supine of disputo (“to examine, discuss”), the source of disputer.^[3][5] Littré takes the Old French form disputoison to be the older, regular outcome, and the present form to be remade after the Latin word.^[2]

Cognate with Old Occitan disputatio and Italian disputazione.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found about 1175 as desputeison, in Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Chronique des ducs de Normandie, meaning a debate or discussion.^[1][3][4]

Semantic evolution

The word first named a heated debate;^[4] the form disputations is found in 1290 in Drouart la Vache's Livre d'Amours.^[1] Joinville still writes disputoison in the early 14th century, while Commynes uses disputation in the 15th.^[2] In the medieval universities it was an exercise in which students of theology argued, often as part of their examinations.^[5]

From 1541, in Calvin's Institution, it was used specifically of the examination of a question of theology, and in the 16th century of a public debate on a theological subject between two or more opponents.^[1][4][5][6] The word is now dated; by extension it can still be used of any discussion driven by a strong wish to persuade.^[1] The English word disputation, from the late 14th century, comes from the Old French word and directly from Latin.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 1175 – Desputeison “debate, discussion” in Benoît de Sainte-Maure.^[1][4]
• 1290 – Disputations in Drouart la Vache's Livre d'Amours.^[1]
• Late 14th century – English borrows it as disputacioun.^[7]
• c. 1464 – Commynes uses it for “discussion”.^[5][2]
• 1541 – Calvin uses it for the examination of a theological question.^[1][4][5]

Meanings

Noun

1. (historical) A public debate on a question of theology between two or more opponents, especially in the 16th century: la disputation de Berne.^[1][6][5]
2. (historical) In the medieval universities, a formal disputation between students of theology, often part of their examinations.^[5]
3. (dated, by extension) A lively discussion driven by a strong wish to persuade.^[1][2]

Related words

• disputer
• dispute
• disputeur
• Latin disputatio
• English disputation

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
2. ^ a b c d e f g Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com